Antax spends the week at Koya's meditating on the fear he experienced after coming so close to death. During that week, he goes through a psychic and physical metamorphosis and refuses to see Ameiko.

Rillka takes Shelalu's advice to heart and spends the week people-watching at the Rusty Dragon, trying to reconnect with life among people.

Paz gives the cold iron wakizashi found in the Goblin Death Cave to Ameiko, then goes to Harold's smithy to get the magical wakizashi, "Whispering Shrike" fixed. Harold finds a tiny scroll case in the broken handle and gives it to Paz.

Paz returns the locket found in the S.R.M.'s lair to Harold. After realizing what it is, Harold storms off without a word. Paz finds him curled up behind the smithy, crying. When Paz confronts him, Harold threatens him to back off. Unfazed by the bravado, Paz grapples him in a hug that Harold eventually gives in to. Harold is wracked with sobs for several minutes before finally breaking away with a quiet "thank you".

Locke continues her research on the bog beasts, perfecting a disguise self potion as well as other formulae. She has a long discussion with Ameiko about the books they found.

Paz returns to the bar and the group reads the letter found in the wakizashi handle.

After a long conversation, it is decided that Ameiko and Keiko (Locke) must discover what happened to their grandfather. The group decides to investigate the second shipwreck noted on the goblin map, while Sandru, Koya and Shelalu gather supplies for the caravan trip to Brinewall.

The party, along with Ameiko, returns to the swamp to investigate the wreck of the Kaijitsu Blossom. Locke and Ameiko find and remove the ship's nameplate, triggering the skeletal remains of the ship's passengers to attack. Ameiko is horrified when she sees Locke transform into her enlarged, mutagen form for the first time.

Paz names one of the more daredevil celestial wolves "Jumper" for his tendency to appear on the tallest nearby object and pounce on opponents.

Antax, whose body has been subtly transformed by his week-long meditation on fear, destroys multiple skeletons while protecting Ameiko. The combat gives him far more confidence in his ability to control his mind.

Ameiko doesn't speak on the way back to Sandpoint and retreats to her room as soon as they get to the Rusty Dragon. Her fear and confusion is a beacon for Antax's empathic abilities and he follows her to her room. They have a long talk, ending with Antax confronting Ameiko about her reaction:

"Judging Locke by her form is the same as others judging me for mine. You have never done that to me. Don't do it to her."